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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Starshine 3

Re-entered 21 Jan 2003

Starshine 3 (NORAD 26929, COSPAR 2001-043A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jan 2003, launched on 30 Sep 2001 on the Starshine 3 mission. It was operated by GSFC as part of the Starshine programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the Starshine bus, with a mass of 90 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

2001
launched
2003
re-entered
2
years on orbit
90
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched30 Sep 2001 · on the Starshine 3 mission
Operational9 Jan 2002 · entered service
Retired9 Jan 2002 · end of operational service
Re-entered21 Jan 2003 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID26929
COSPAR2001-043A
TypeSatellite
OperatorGSFC
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusStarshine
Mass90 kg
ProgrammeStarshine
CategorySCI
OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)
Altitude467 × 474 km
Inclination67.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Starshine 3?

Starshine 3 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Jan 2003, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2001. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Starshine 3 re-enter the atmosphere?

Starshine 3 re-entered on 21 Jan 2003, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Starshine 3?

Starshine 3 was operated by GSFC and built by NRL (US).

Launched together

STP P97-1NORAD 26930PCSatNORAD 26931SAPPHIRENORAD 26932
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.